Victoria Sorensen, Jaimie Jeffrey avoid conviction over North Geelong bomb scare
Two anti-war activists charged over a bomb scare at a North Geelong business precinct have chanted on the steps of Geelong’s courthouse after the most serious charge they faced was struck out.
Anti-war activists have chanted “Free Palestine” outside Geelong courthouse after avoiding convictions over a bomb scare at a North Geelong business precinct.
Victoria Sorensen and Jaimie Jeffrey appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday over the March 21 incident at the Federal Mills.
The pair had been charged with intending to cause a bomb hoax and trespass, and the matter was listed for a contested hearing before Magistrate Tim Gattuso.
However it’s understood the case resolved to pleas of guilty to single counts of trespassing, with the bomb hoax charge struck out.
The pairs’ lawyers had previously argued the prosecution were not going to be able to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the women’s intent was to induce fear, a key part of proving the charge.
Jeffrey was fined $1350, while Sorensen was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $500 to the court fund, both without conviction.
At a contest mention hearing in August, the court was told the pair, both members of anti-war activist group IPAN Geelong and Victoria Southwest, went to the Federal Mills office of Aerospace Maritime Defence Australia (AMDA), a non-profit organisation that runs events including the Avalon Airshow and Melbourne’s Land Forces expo.
The pair went inside the office and approached an AMDA employee, with Ms Jeffrey dressed as a delivery person and Ms Sorensen filming.
The employee realised they were protesters before Ms Jeffrey handed the woman a white paper bag.
The employee put the package in the bin and washed her hands, the court heard in August.
The employee couldn’t smell anything, hear ticking or see anything leaking from the package, but AMDA’s head of security was called, eventually sparking a bomb threat.
The building was evacuated, along with neighbouring businesses, as emergency services descended upon Federal Mills, including responders from Fire Rescue Victoria’s hazardous material team and counter terrorism personal.
Inside the bag were “three TNT sour chew lollies”.
The court had heard the two women had described the stunt as a “comedy sketch” in text messages.
Following Tuesday’s proceedings, there was applause and the two women and their supporters gathered outside the courtroom.
Moments later the group stood on the steps outside Geelong court and posed for photos, fists raised and holding Palestinian flags.
The group’s chants included “Free, free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea”.
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Originally published as Victoria Sorensen, Jaimie Jeffrey avoid conviction over North Geelong bomb scare
